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Israel’s 13th Ambassador to Egypt welcomed by President al-Sisi

Govrin officially gives credence to Egyptian President in Cairo, welcomed by Israel’s national anthem amidst growing diplomatic relations between the State of Israel and Egypt

David Govrin, Israel’s recently appointed Ambassador to Egypt, officially presented his credentials to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during a ceremony in Cairo on Wednesday.

Govrin was welcomed to his meeting by an Egyptian military band playing Israel’s national anthem “HaTikva” (The Hope) ahead of his official address to President al-Sisi, which he did in Arabic. He took part in a ceremony with eight other states presenting their new ambassadors to Egyptian Authorities.

Following the ceremony, Govrin stated that he “feels very proud to be appointed to this position in Egypt, the mother of the world, a land of cultures and ancient history. I have no doubt that the relations between Egypt and Israel are vital and central to achieve the long-awaited peace and stability in the region in general.”

Govrin was appointed in early 2016 and began his term as the 13th Israeli Ambassador to Egypt in July, replacing Ambassador Haim Koren. Ahead of his post in Egypt, he served as Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director of the Jordan Department in Jerusalem.

Govrin was part of several diplomatic missions in Egypt given his credentials and fluency in Arabic. His first post as a diplomat was in Egypt in 1994 where he served as first secretary at Israel’s Embassy in Cairo. He then served as a political advisor for the Israel in the United Nations. He has served as a diplomat for Israel since 1989.

Speaking entirely in Arabic, Govrin gave a detailed description of his love for Egypt and history with the state. (See below)

His appointment comes during a period of significantly improved relations between Israel and Egypt. Around the same period he was appointed, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met with Prime Minister Netanyahu in Jerusalem, the first visit by an Egyptian official to the State of Israel in over nine years.